Legislative Conduct Quotes

As a general rule the Southern Delegates were not a creditable class.

Resolved, that the conduct of the Senator from Wisconsin, Mr. McCarthy, is unbecoming a Member of the United States Senate, is contrary to senatorial traditions, and tends to bring the Senate into disrepute, and such conduct is hereby condemned.

Parliament is supposed to be serious. It's not a place for jingoistic cheering.

Some members of Congress ought to have their mouths taped instead of their speeches.

The reality of going before the voters and seeking election should force Congressmen to behave.

It was surprising to me to hear a member question whether another member of the House was an adult. We're all adults in the House of Commons, and I think it diminishes us all to suggest otherwise.

Over my 24 years in the Senate, Jim, I've never voted against anyone because of their substantive views.

I would hope that ... this Senate does return to the decorum that calls for courtesy when one is speaking and others should be listening, the decorum of people in their seats rather than straggling in the aisles when debate is going on.

What a vicious practice is this of our politicians at Washington pairing off ["horse trading"]! As if one man who votes wrong, going away, could excuse you, who mean to vote right, for going away; as if your presence did not tell in more ways than in your vote.

You can hardly say boo to a goose in the House of Commons now without cries of "Ungentlemanly," "Not fair" and all the rest.

The idea of putting old Browborough into prison for conduct which habit had made second nature to a large proportion of the House was distressing to Members of Parliament generally.

One moment it's a cathedral, at another time there is no words to describe it when it ceases, for short periods of time, to have any regard for the proprieties that constitute not only Parliament, but its tradition. I've seen it in all its greatness. I have inwardly wept over it when it is degraded.